Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive brain tumor,
and the
prognosis remains poor with current available treatments. PDIA1 is
considered a promising therapeutic target in GBM. In this study, we
demonstrate that targeting PDIA1 results in increased GBM cell death
by topoisomerase II (Top-II) inhibitors resulting in proteasome-mediated
degradation of the oncogenic protein UHRF1. Combination of the PDIA1
inhibitor, bepristat-2a, produces strong synergy with doxorubicin,
etoposide, and mitoxantrone in GBM and other cancer cell lines. Our
bioinformatics analysis of multiple datasets revealed downregulation
of UHRF1, upon PDIA1 inhibition. In addition, PDIA1
inhibition results in proteasome-mediated degradation of UHRF1 protein.
Interestingly, treatment of GBM cells with bepristat-2a results in
increased apoptosis and resistance to ferroptosis. Our findings emphasize
the importance of PDIA1 as a therapeutic target in GBM and present
a promising new therapeutic approach using Top-II inhibitors for GBM
treatment.
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